Debate Over Sale of Drug Paraphernalia

An increasing number of Minnesota cities are considering or have passed ordinances to prohibit the sale of drug paraphernalia. Store owners who sell bongs, cocaine spoons and other items have challenged these laws in court. The City of Red Wing expects that its new ordinance will be tested. However, local law enforcement and community coalitions often feel that these ordinances protect the public because the items promote drug use. For more on Red Wing’s ordinance, clickhere. Stillwater is also considering an ordinance, availablehere. While we are not aware of any distributors of drug paraphernalia in Kanabec County, a store recently opened in Pine City.